Why the Sample Edit Matters More Than You Think

For many writers, especially indie authors and self-publishers, hiring an editor is a leap of faith. You're trusting someone with your story, your style, and in some cases, your livelihood. That’s not a decision to take lightly.

A free sample edit is like a first date: a chance to see if there’s chemistry. It gives you a real look at how an editor approaches your work, without the pressure of a full commitment. It also shows you:

• Whether they understand your voice and audience

• How they balance correcting grammar with preserving your tone

• Their communication style and attention to detail

My Personal Experience: The Good, the Bad, and the Robotic

I’ve had editors who sent sample edits that felt like a robot was running grammar software on my words. Sure, the grammar was technically correct, but all the heart had been wrung out. On the other hand, I once received a 500-word sample that blew me away: the editor fixed flow issues I hadn’t noticed and asked great questions in the margins.

Needless to say, I hired that one.

That experience made me a firm believer in the power of a well-done sample edit. It’s the single best predictor of whether an editor is a good match.

What to Look for in a Free Sample Edit

If you're requesting or reviewing a sample edit from a book editing service, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Respect for Your Voice – Are they changing your tone, or enhancing it?

2. Clarity of Suggestions – Do they explain why a sentence was changed?

3. Balance of Line and Structural Editing – Do they point out deeper issues, not just typos?

4. Format & Presentation – Are their changes tracked? Are comments helpful?

5. Timeliness – Did they deliver the sample on time, professionally?

These subtle things can show a lot about what working with them long-term will feel like.

Editors: What Do You Offer in Your Sample Edits?

If you're an editor or run a company offering book editing services, I’d love to hear your take:

• Do you provide a free sample?

• How many words do you typically offer?

• What kind of feedback do you include?

• What do you hope to learn from your potential client during this process?

Writers appreciate transparency. A thoughtful sample can go a long way in earning trust, especially in a niche like technical, memoir, or genre-specific writing.

Writers: What Have You Seen?

Fellow writers: Have you ever requested a sample edit? What was the experience like?

• Did it help you choose the right editor?

• Did anyone not offer one, and how did that affect your decision?

• Have you ever had a sample edit that saved you from a bad editing investment?

These stories are worth sharing. They help demystify the editing process and remind us we’re not alone in figuring this out.

The Sample Edit vs. Paid Sample Debate

Let’s address the elephant in the room: not all editors offer free samples. Some offer paid samples that go toward your full project if you continue. Others simply don’t do them at all.

Here’s my take: either option is fine—as long as the editor is clear about it upfront. It’s about setting expectations. But as a writer, especially if you’re just starting out or self-funding your book, having the option of a free sample edit can be a game-changer.

It lets you shop around without being punished for it.

What Makes a Sample Edit Stand Out

In my search for the right editor, the best samples I received had:

• A short note introducing the editor and explaining their process

• Clear, clean tracked changes

• Thoughtful comments that made me feel seen and respected as a writer

• A realistic sense of what a full edit would look like

It wasn’t just about the edits themselves, but how the editor communicated.

Building a Better Relationship from the Start

An editor-author relationship is collaborative and sometimes intimate. It helps if it starts on a solid foundation. A good sample edit sets the tone: Are we speaking the same language? Can we work through feedback constructively? Are they just correcting, or are they investing in your success?

A great editor will make your book better without making it feel like someone else wrote it.

Let’s Talk: What Do YOU Think?

This post isn’t just about me—it’s about us. Writers navigating the publishing world. Editors trying to offer value. And readers who benefit from clearer, sharper, more engaging books.

So let’s open the floor:

Query for the Community: Do you offer or request free sample edits as part of book editing services? Why or why not? What has your experience been like?

Share your stories, thoughts, recommendations, and even horror stories in the comments. Let’s build a little knowledge hub together.